One Lord!

When you and I were called and responded with a ‘Yes!’ to the calling, we also said ‘Yes!’ to ‘one’ body, ‘one’ Spirit and ‘one’ hope. However, to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, also implies the acceptance of the fact there is only ‘one’ Lord. It was an imperative for Paul to remind his readers that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (1).

If we have surrendered to ‘one’ Lord, unity should be a logical consequence. Even though Paul does not explicitly writes this, I sense that it is ‘written’ between the lines. I have often used the following simple illustration:

If Jesus is in the center and I want to get as close as possible to the center, I will also come closer to all his followers who have the same desire. With this in mind, I wonder if lack of unity between Christians can be a sign that Jesus is not any longer the one and only Lord?

With ‘other’ lords, I do not limit 'lords' to e.g. Mammon (2) or a ‘lord’ that takes domination by causing an unhealthy addiction – the ‘lord’ can simply be myself because I can become the center of my own attention and will do it ‘my way’. My inclination is to take control over my own life. It may even sometimes prove to be safer and more predictable than leaving the control to the one and only Lord and let him lead me wherever it suits him best.

I believe Jesus is so focused on unity that he wants me to surrender what I regard as my indisputable right, so that the unity with other believers is not broken. It is not so hard when I remember all the experiences of the truth that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (3)

‘Manna’ for today:

If Jesus is not my 'one and only Lord', I will lose the momentum in my calling.

-------------------------------------
(1) Phil 2:11
(2) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
(3) Rom 8:28

Which are the ‘greater gifts’?

There is no doubt that the greatest gift is The holy spirit and his burning love (1), but leading up to his teaching about love as the most excellent way, Paul wrote:

Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
1 Cor 12:31

What does he refer to?

First of all, I must admit that I think it is a little bit strange if there is a kind of hierarchy of spiritual gifts.

Because a ‘greater gift’ will be the one that I most of all need in a given situation. However, it becomes very clear what Paul had in mind when he had finished his wonderful teaching about love (2), because he continues in this way:

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
1 Cor 14:1

…and he explains that the reason for this is that “the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort” (3).

For an observant Bible reader, it should not be a surprise that Paul considers prophecy as a ‘greater gift’. Paul was a scholar. In regard to the law, he was a Pharisee (4), and he had studied under Gamaliel (5). When Paul met Jesus in the vision on the road to Damascus he became blind and had to be led into the city. There Ananias visited him and prophesied over him, and event that confirmed Paul's calling and ministry.

Paul could relate all that happened to him to the prophecies of the Old Testament and he used these prophecies as important part of his teaching and preaching. Paul experienced frequently that people prophesied over him (6), and he also used this gift in his own ministry (7).

I will write more on the subject of 'eagerly desiring the greater gifts' in the next couple of blogs.

‘Manna’ for today:

God always speaks! (8)

-------------------------------------------------------
(1) See: “Go for ‘the gifts’ in an excellent way!”
(2) 1 Corinthians 13
(3) 1 Corinthians 14:3
(4) Philippians 3:5
(5) Acts 22:3
(6) Acts 21:10-11
(7) Acts 27:21-26
(8) The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. Psalm 50:1

The old has gone, the new is here!

NORSK
When I opened www.biblegateway.com this morning, the Verse of the Day contained the words I have chosen as a headline. The Bible has many verses that are fitting for New Year’s Day, however, I can’t recall that I have used this verse at the start of a new year before.

Only few minutes before I read the verse I was listening to a radio-reporter asking people on the street about their New Year's resolutions. One man said something like this: “I want to let the one whose birth we have just celebrated take more control over my destructive thoughts and words – I am saved, you see!” – I think the man knows the reality of the verse:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Cor 5:17

It is all about living the new life in Christ. This is the ‘momentum’ I want to keep in our mission as we go forward into every new day, every new week, every new year – it is the new life! 

‘Manna’ for today:

The new life in Christ is already here, let’s live it!

------------------------------
In 2018 it is my intention and desire to blog weekly in several languages. The weekly blogs will be published on Saturdays, and the first one will be published on 6 Jan. “Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” Phil 3:16 (MSG)

Nothing to declare?

NORSK
“Doesn’t the Salvation Army have anything to declare?” replied the custom officer to our firm statement. When we were a little bit puzzled by his reaction, he continued with a smile: “I expected you to declare that Jesus Christ is Lord!”

A brother in Christ at the Romanian side of the border to Moldova gave us this challenge earlier today. 

Of course:

“every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Phil 2:11

On this very date 47 years ago I declared it when I was enrolled as a soldier in The Salvation Army, and I have something to declare every day of my life until I meet my Lord face to face.

‘Manna’ for today:

I have something to declare!

---------------------------------

Marathon and Momentum

NORSK
Today is the annual Oslo Marathon and if I were in Norway, I would have taken part - at least in the 10 km. It's been four years since I last ran and there are several reasons for me not taking part over the past years: 

In the autumn of 2014 we had just arrived Stavanger and all weekends were busy with meetings and events for the new DCs. By 2015, we had just arrived Moldova, and the same matters with a full program were again valid. Mind you, it would have been irresponsible to spend a lot of savings on traveling for at least 8 hours to Oslo just for the sake of running 21 km. 

In the autumn of 2016 I was happy for just being able to walk 5 km (1).

This morning I was up early and ran 10 km at the average speed of 5:28 per km. By comparison, I had 5:27 as average speed at the Oslo half marathon in 2013. For me it is a small miracle that today's 10 km held the same speed.

Today's run is not really an achievement in itself, I just ran and enjoyed it. But the way to get there has costed pain and discomfort, mixed with careful optimism when I noticed progress. I just needed to keep the momentum. 18 months ago, I sometimes doubted that I would be able to run again, and the doctors could not give me any promises. The reason why I chose to challenge the knee's protests, is the sense of physical, and even more important, of mental well-being that I get from running. I had to sacrifice something to achieve something good. 

Furthermore, the reason for me writing this blog is simply that this period of getting back in shape, contains a principle that is valid in most areas of life - even the spiritual area.

Salvation is free, but discipleship is costly, was one of Bonhoeffer’s statements. If I want to experience the good progress or the momentum, which actually is Latin for a move in the right direction, then I must be willing to pay the price. And that price is not a one-time-effort, but a conscious daily choice.

I revert to the example of running. Although I am a morning bird, I have never liked running in the morning. However, in this part of the world with temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees for more than four months in the summer, it is hazardous to run during the day and evening. Then, I can either choose to scrap running or run when I do not like running. Eventually it has become OK to run in the morning - at least when I think of the option of running in + 35.

I am going to focus on "Momentum" in the next months – that does not mean that I return to daily blogging, however, I will probably post some thoughts now and then. It was Jesus who started the motion when he commanded the disciples: "Go therefore!" Matthew 28:19 - and Paul urged his readers:

Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
Phil 3:16 (The Message)

When that happens, I believe for a revival in Eastern Europe and Half-marathon in Oslo in the autumn of 2018.
-----------------------------

(1) My knee was badly damaged in a terrorist-attack 12 Jan 2016

I am saved three times

NORSK
In the last chapter in his letters to Timothy, it is evident that Paul is preparing for a new court trial and that he expects that this time he will face death. Yet it seems as though he lived a relatively normal life despite of this situation, and that he must have thought that it could take some time. It is also evident that he did not regard being saved from the lions (1) as a true salvation. This he made clear in this way:

The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and save[a] me into His heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:18

Like most "theologians", Paul saw salvation in three stages:

1. Jesus' sacrifice was a “righteous act” which “resulted in justification and life for all people” (2). Ergo, I was saved on Calvary together with all people.
2. This is the gospel. However, because of our free will salvation must be made valid for every individual through faith by confessing this as true for themselves (3). Ergo, having done so, I am saved today.
3. The last stage is “to depart and be with Christ” (4) - and that is what Paul is referring to in today's greeting to Timothy. Ergo, I will be saved when I one day I “depart to be with Christ” in eternity.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am so glad that I was, am and will be saved.

--------------------------------------
(1) In the previous court trial Paul was "rescued from the lion's mouth" v 17b - a description that probably was literally. Many Christians became food for lions in the circus.
(2) Romans 5:18
(3) Romans 1:16-17
(4) Phil 1:21-23

Part of something much bigger

NORSK
Very often I face limitations both in myself, in resources and in my surroundings and I forget that I belong to God the unlimited. See what Paul wrote to Timothy:

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
2 Tim 2:8-9

Paul was chained, but had great success with converting prison guards (1) because “God’s word is not chained”. When he finally came to Rome, he was even permitted to live together with the soldier who guarded him (2). In other words, Paul new for sure that he belonged to an unlimited God and that

all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Rom 8:28

Therefore, I know that:

• when I am chained – God is free
• when I am poor – God is rich
• when I am wrong – God is right
• when I am weak – God is strong
• when I don’t know – God knows
• when I can’t – God can

The list could go on 'for ever', and before I know it I will end up confessing like Paul did in

‘Manna’ for today:

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (3)

--------------------------------------
(1) Acts 16:29-34
(2) Acts 28:16
(3) Phil 4:13

To want to do the will of the commander

NORSK

Paul takes the ‘soldier-allegory’ one step further:

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
2 Tim 2:4

Throughout my life as a soldier, I have lived in the tension between being ‘entangled in civilian affairs’ and the awareness of the fact that the will of the commander can drown in all the pending 'musts' in my life. The tension has increased proportionally with increased responsibility. In many of the letters Paul wrote, he focused on the importance of understanding the Lord's will (1). When he did his farewell speech to the local leaders of the church at Ephesus, he said:

I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Acts 20:27

How a soldier gets an insight into the “will of the commander”, Paul described in this way:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13

If I give the Holy Spirit access to my life, the mysterious miracle is that I actually want to do that which is God's good will. It is a response of love and not a fulfillment of a duty requirement (2). It is liberation contrary to slavery under the law.

'Manna' for today:

It is my desire to do the commander’s will

-------------------------------------
(1) See e.g. Col 1:9 and Phil 1:9-11
(2) See Tomas Sjödin’s quote in “On the arena of faith”

What did the ancestors do?

NORSK
I have noticed that the Norwegian channel NRK is running a new season of "Who Do You Think You Are?" a series in which famous people are helped to "climb in their family tree". As an extension to yesterday's reflection, I will dwell on what Paul said about his family:

God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience
2 Tim 1:3

The statement that the ancestors worshiped God with a "clear conscience", is a recognition that they served God in accordance with the revelation they had. I reckon that their pure conscience rested on the fact that they were “faultless as for righteousness based on the law" (1) - the same testimony Paul gave himself for the time before he met Jesus Christ.

It is also likely that Paul valued their faith, and the fact that this blessing ran for generations and reached Paul himself. This is in accordance with God's promise in the Law of Moses:

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deut 7:9 

It was important for Paul to convey the idea of ​​such a legacy to Timothy as he too could enjoy a similar blessing: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2)

I am thankful to those of my ancestors who sowed blessing for future generations, and for my family I pray that this blessing is not going to stop with me, but will continue to flow from generation to generation. So that this promise can be fulfilled: “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord. (3)

‘Manna’ for today:

Let the blessing flow!

--------------------------------
(1) Phil 3:6
(2) 2 Timothy 1:5
(3) Isaiah 59:21

On the arena of purity

NORSK
Today I am entering the last arena on which I am called to set an example

“…set an example … in purity…”
1 Tim 4:12

If you are a frequent reader and have followed my blog for some time, you may remember that I some months back wrote that holiness is about purity (1).

For William Booth holiness was a synonym for holiness, “A pure heart will ensure a Holy Life!” he stated in the 4th chapter of his book “Purity of heart” (2) – the tittle confirms his focus.

That the arena of purity comes last, confirms to me that there is a thought about a progression in the order Paul presented them. After his conversion, Paul’s life had been a continues race towards the goal of Christ likeness. When he wrote to the Philippians, it is participation in this race he asks his readers to see as an example:

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Phil 3:17

‘Manna’ for today:

Role models chase for purity

--------------------------------------
(1) «It is about purity»
(2) William Booth in “The Founder Speaks again” SP&S 1960 s 20

The Gospel in a nutshell

NORSK
After having given instructions regarding prayers for all people, Paul quickly moves on to a short version of the gospel. In several of his letters Paul included what was probably creeds used be the early Christians. Some are longer, like e.g. “The Christ Hymn” in Philippians (1), while the creed he reminds Timothy about, belongs to the short versions:

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
1 Timothy 2:5-6a

This is the truth Paul is set to communicate to all men. Here he introduces the roles he has in relation to the gospel, which I have reflected on before: Herold, apostle and teacher (2), which in a straightforward manner can be summarized as follows:
By the gospel Paul was

• Acknowledged as Herald (3)
• Appointed as Apostle (4)
• Accredited as Teacher (5)

Paul had proclaimed the "nutshell-gospel" together with Timothy before:

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 
2 Cor 1:19-20

Now Paul is challenging Timothy to continue to proclaim the gospel in the same way as Paul: As acknowledged, appointed and accredited. 
I think these are roles for every disciple, but some get it as a special ministry or gift. For example, the role of every Christian is to be a witness. Through testifying, the believer is evangelising, but evangelising is not the same as being an evangelist. Still, all believers are included in the mission of spreading the Gospel through being "Jesus" just where they are.

'Manna' today:

The Gospel: The man Christ Jesus gave himself!

--------------------------------------
* The illustration: "Christmas in a Nutshell" was produced by "The job" - a work-project in the Salvation Army.
(1) Phil 2:5-11
(2) See: ‘The good deposit’ 
(3) See: ‘What did the mentor do with deposit?’ 
(4) See: ‘Interesting links between functions’ 
(5) See: ‘Identity-building’

Affirmation and accountability

NORSK
I feel that I know Paul well, and although I have read the letters he wrote to Timothy many times, I'm looking forward to getting to know Timothy better in the weeks to come. Paul called him:

"my true son in the faith"
1 Tim 1:2a

If I translate the Greek directly, it reads ‘my legitimate child’, but most translations prefer to use "my true son in the faith." It is evident that Paul and Timothy knew each other well, and it is likely that Timothy viewed Paul as his spiritual father. Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra on the first missionary journey, and it is not unlikely that Timothy and members of his family came to faith in Jesus during the first visit.

When Paul again came to Lystra with Silas, Timothy was already a disciple, and Paul wanted him to join the team of missionaries. The fact that Paul, because of the Jews, chose to circumcise Timothy because of his Greek father, supports the thesis that the two knew one another and that Timothy had deep respect for the decisions Paul made (1). The strange thing with the circumcision of Timothy is that one of the tasks that Timothy should do, was to convey "the Statutes for the Gentiles" which had been approved at the Council of Jerusalem. These statutes announced that there was no need for 'Gentiles' to be circumcised. It shows how Paul put mission first and used pragmatism as his strategy (2).
 
Although Paul calls Timothy for his true son in the faith, this does not necessarily mean that he was the one who led Timothy to faith in Jesus. Paul's way of addressing him in this way, may have rested on his desire to affirm Timothy in the faith as his mentor - in the same way as a father affirms a son:

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Phil 2:22 

The letters Paul wrote to Timothy are full of affirmations, but also of exhortations and reminders about the good habits. That is why they form a good basis for a study of discipleship as journey of renewal. A journey that lasts a lifetime. Affirmation and accountability are the keys to make this happen. Regarding affirmation, I can hardly imagine anything better than being affirmed as "a true child in the faith."

Today 'manna':

The mentor must hold the disciple accountable through affirmation.

-----------------------------------------
(1) Acts 16:1-3
(2) See: "Fanaticism and pragmatism"

It is about values worth living and dying for

NORSK
A couple of weeks back I wrote about “Faithfulness” and I used my granddad as an example. He was also very faithful when opportunity was given to testify, and he very often used the same verses and illustrations. For this reason, many of his family members still remember what he said. I can still “hear” him quoting the following verse from a Scandinavian song:

Fight for all that you hold dear
Die if necessary
Life is then worth living here
Death - no adversary. (1)

As a little boy, I thought the words were very dramatic, but after a while, I grasped the content. Unfortunately, the situation in the world, with suicide-bombing and terror, has made it problematic to write: “It is good to have values that are worth dying for”. All the same, I will stand firm on the statement: I will rather die believing that love will overcome evil, than to meet evil with evil. I have written similar things earlier (2). 

However, today it is about values worth living FOR:

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labour; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
Phil 1:21-22

Paul longed to be with Christ in eternity. At the same time, he was motivated by the fact that to continue to live here on earth would mean “fruit from his labour” – holy fruit, in his own life and from his life through people who would receive new life in Christ. To bear fruit is a motivation for my life here on earth. It is a God given and holy motivation.

‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is about labour that bears fruit

-----------------------------
(1) I apologize for the translation, but I have not been able to trace an English translation of:
Kjemp for alt hva du har kjært,
dø om så det gjelder!
Da er livet ei så svært,
døden ikke heller.
(2) Only available in "google translate": "Derfor er kjærligheten mitt 'våpen' mot terror" og "Vi er i kamp"

It is about mindfulness

NORSK
It feels a little bit strange for me to use the word ‘mindfulness’ in a heading on my blog. Some will  associate the word with ‘new age’ and regard it as an offspring of that era. 

For what I know, it may well be that several of the course-providers draw inspiration from that source, but I know too little about it to draw any conclusion. 

I only know that the main idea with ‘mindfulness’ is to get people to think positive. 

Long before “the age of Aquarius” was claimed as a paradigm-change by the new religious movement, pastor and author Norman Vincent Peale wrote the book ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ in 1952. As a teenager, I read the book in Norwegian translation, and it inspired me. How we use our mind is important.

In 1992 I interpreted Bramwell Tillsley, at that time the Chief of Staff in the Salvation Army. He gave me his own book with the title: “This mind in you” which is a selection of reflections on the letters to the Philippians. The title refers to the verse:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
Phil 2:5

The section following the verse is often referred to as the “Christ hymn”. It is a beautiful description of the mind of Christ, an example of the ultimate humility. He emptied himself of all claims and rights. He was God, but took the form of a bondservant, and humbled himself and became obedient even to a shameful death on a cross.

You may ask: What has this to do with positive thinking?

My simple answer is: “Everything”

True joy and freedom is to do his will who has created us, because then we also enter into his mindset. The challenge is that we have a tendency to think ‘negative’ about the consequences before we dare to make a full surrender. The key is to start the walk together with him. Together with him, even a stubborn person like me, can learn humility (1).

‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is a mind that is full of his.

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(1) The fruit of the Spirit is … humility – Gal 5:23

It is about being what he is

NORSK
It is interesting to notice that in the middle of the teaching about the vine, Jesus declared that he no longer calls his disciples servants, but friends (1). It is a result of the divine love, of which Jesus says: “Remain in my love!” (2)
This love is also the root of the fifth quality of the Fruit of the Spirit:

Kindness (3)

They who know me well, will also know that I strongly dislike kindness or friendliness that is not genuine. It is very evident in situations where I am a potential “customer”. Sellers are often “kind” to the extreme, and I am sure it is correct business-etiquette, but this method puts me off rather than on.

When Jesus spoke about peace, he said: “my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (4) I believe that the same could be said about all the other qualities of the fruit as well. “My kindness I give you – not as the world gives”. The kindness which he speaks about, comes from within. 

We notice it when we come to a church. Most churches have ushers or welcome-sergeants, who will receive people in a good way. You will sense when the kindness come from within, from the same source as all fruit.

And when we sense the fruit of the Spirit, we know that the Lord is near (5).

‘Manna’ for today:

The fruit of the Spirit brings Jesus near.

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(1) John 15:15
(2) John 15:9b
(3) The fruit of the Spirit is … kindness – Gal 5:22 The Norwegian translation of kindness is friendliness - this means that there connection between friend and friendliness is lost in translation. The same is true with (5) where the Norwegian translation is: "Let your friendliness be evident to all".
But it also confirms the "oneness" of the fruit of the Spirit with regard to the fact that the qualities are synonyms - meaning that you cannot have one without the other.
(4) John 14:27
(5) Phil 4:5

It is about fruit that gives strength

NORSK
It is almost 40 years since I received my first farewell-orders from Bergen 1. Corps. I had served there as an assistant, and it was my first appointment after I was commissioned as an officer. 

After the farewell meeting, one of the elderly soldiers, Bjarne, came to me and said: 
“You are strong, Jostein!” 
I was a little puzzled by his greeting and asked: 
“Why do you say that?” 
“Because you are joyful!” Bjarne replied, 
“The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is your strength (1) – don’t let anything rob you for the joy in the Lord!”

May be Bjarne had made correct observations, and that joy was the quality of the fruit of the Spirit, which was most evident in my life when I was young. I can certainly point out quite a few of the other qualities that were more absent than present; but Bjarne had the gift of encouragement, and I knew that he had a vibrant relationship with the Lord.

Love is a very strong power, but in a way, love includes the whole strength-register from weak to strong. For example I cannot love without becoming vulnerable. God’s own love proves this fact.

Joy, which is second on the list of characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit (2), is different; it is a quality that strengthens. The first Christian experienced that joy gave them strength in adversity and persecution:

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
Acts 5:41 

I believe Paul also received strength in joy. He often faced persecution, imprisonment and flogging before his earthly life was crowned with martyrdom. Still he showed how important joy is through repeating his exhortation to rejoice:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Phil 4:4 

I have never managed to identify with the caricatured and sad picture that is often associated with Christians. My Christian upbringing and my adult life as a believer, has been and is a joyful experience. At the same time, I have visited communities of believers, where there has been little room for expressions of joy and rejoicing. Under such circumstances I try to sense if this represents religion or life. There is no doubt the joy belongs to the life of Christ, to the life of the vine. That should indicate that absence of joy means absence of Christ.

Today 'manna':

Holiness is about the strength of the joy in the Lord.

------------------------------------
* A joyful young man in May 1976
(1) Neh 8:10
(2) The fruit of the Spirit is… joy – Gal 5:22

It is about Christlikeness

NORSK
For some days, I have shared what I consider to be the focus of some holiness-teachers in The Salvation Army. General Frederick Coutts is one the remarkable contributors to the understanding of holiness in our movement. While Brengle was very focused on the experience, Coutts had his focus on the ongoing process towards Christlikeness. This ‘difference’ in focus becomes very clear in this passage: 

“Christlikeness is holiness. Where Christ is enthroned, there is holiness. Yet holiness is never an ‘imitation’ of Christ, if by that is meant a self-conscious external patterning. Christian holiness will spring from the inward possession of that same Holy Spirit who was in Jesus. . . The blessing of holiness is never an “it”. No one should say: ‘I’ve got it!’, for the experience is personal and the
source of the experience is personal. . . The work of the Spirit was perfectly exemplified in Jesus and he can make us like him, not through any outward conformity but by the workings of inward grace.” (1)
 
I do not see this as an attack on the personal experience, and I share his concern that a strong experience can make people self-content. The life of holiness is an ongoing process, possessed by a hope beautifully expressed in John Gowans’ simple chorus: “To be like Jesus, this hope possesses  me” with Christlikeness as a goal.

I am sure Brengle would agree and join the chorus in full unity. He likened the experience of holiness to the birth of a baby. The baby is perfect, but if it does not grow and mature, there is something wrong. Brengle similarly used the picture of the experience as the diving into a pool – once you are in the pool you are supposed to learn how to swim.

So, with the difference in focus, there can be full harmony in the understanding of the content and purpose of holiness. Paul saw himself as perfect in Christ, but not in relation to what Jesus could help him to take hold of:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Phil 3:12

‘Manna’ for today

Holiness is about Christlikeness

----------------------------
(1) Frederick Coutts: ”Essentials of Christian Experience” SP&S 1980